NSF GRFP 2013-14

[parkridge]

 

From nsfgrfp.org:  

• The anticipated announcement date for the 2014 competition is around early April.

 

 

 

They say this every year. The actual date varies (see posts above), although this Friday would certainly be a far stretch. haha.

[iheartplants]

NSF GRFP Twitter says "Late March/Early April"

Edited March 18, 2014 by iheartplants

[fosgfp]

Oh, and because I don't want anyone else to neurotically do what I just did...No judging 

 

Previous release times:

2013 :Friday, March 29, 2013 @ ~2:00AM

2012: Friday, April 1, 2012 @ ~2:00AM

2011: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 @ ~12:50AM

2010: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 @ ~1:00AM

2009: Friday, April 10, 2009 @ ~1:00AM

2008: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 @ ~2:00AM

2007: Monday, March 23. 2007 @ ~11:20 PM

 

Time zone??

Thanks!!

[stmwap]

Time zone??

Thanks!!

EST

[MissAnthro]

Mine has changed a lot. Or maybe changed isn't a good word. I think I've just become very quickly exposed to a ton of research area that I didn't know were research areas, and feel like I could love all of them. Thankfully you don't have to pursue the exact project you describe in your NSF proposal in graduate school!

 

I feel the same! 

[fosgfp]

EST

 

Actually, no-- just checked my email from last year (I'm on EST) and it came at 3:49 AM. So those are like mountain time zone.

[giles]

Actually, no-- just checked my email from last year (I'm on EST) and it came at 3:49 AM. So those are like mountain time zone.

There's a delay between the time you get the e-mail and when the winners are posted. That's why people obsessively check the winners link because it's gets updated there about an hour before the e-mail comes.

[Neuro_Guy]

And about changing your proposed institution (i.e. I'm not going where I indicated, but will still be working on similar enough topic) the GRFP site says you can change it but how much of a big deal is that? Simple e-mail/form to let them know your actual school or will they re-evaluate me to some degree? It's US, accredited and all that. Thanks. 

[knightrunner]

I can't take this waiting game anymore.  Why can't they just put me out of my misery and say if my application made it at least the first rounds or not.  I would cheer if updates come in Friday!

[guttata]

And about changing your proposed institution (i.e. I'm not going where I indicated, but will still be working on similar enough topic) the GRFP site says you can change it but how much of a big deal is that? Simple e-mail/form to let them know your actual school or will they re-evaluate me to some degree? It's US, accredited and all that. Thanks. 

 

Changing the proposed institution is no big deal at all - because it's a "proposed" institution. Changing your field is a bigger deal, but that refers to whole field (e.g. Biology - Physiology to Biology - Microbiology is probably no big deal, but Biology - Physiology to Computer Science may not be approved).

[DropTheBase]

Also, I just accepted an offer at UW, but they're only giving me TA funding for my first year. So now, I'm freaking out because no part of me wants to TA for my first year in graduate school, so I NEED this fellowship.

 

There are quite a few programs that require you to teach, take classes and conduct research simultaneously in your first year. There's a huge difference between "need" and "want".

[nainalerom]

Changing the proposed institution is no big deal at all - because it's a "proposed" institution. Changing your field is a bigger deal, but that refers to whole field (e.g. Biology - Physiology to Biology - Microbiology is probably no big deal, but Biology - Physiology to Computer Science may not be approved).

I've heard they aren't very good at keeping track of this. I think the proposal is more of an exercise to show that you can write a proposal. A department change might raise eyebrows, but I don't know if they'd rescind the fellowship (or even notice).

[bathingintheneon]

There are quite a few programs that require you to teach, take classes and conduct research simultaneously in your first year. There's a huge difference between "need" and "want".

 

Of course there is. Forgive me for being dramatic. However, most of the graduate students I know weren't required to TA their first year, and even having to TA in their second and third years has put them under a lot of extra stress. The GRFP is nice in that it frees up time for you to concentrate on your research, instead of having to TA. In fact, most professors I've talked to have said that TAing essentially does nothing for you in terms of getting post-docs or faculty positions. Therefore, the less TAing you do, the more time you can spend on research, going to conferences, and publishing: the things that will help you secure future jobs. I know that "need" was a strong word, since I don't need any outside funding to stay in my program, but I may "need" funding in order to be competitive for the jobs I want.

 

And of course I'll TA if I don't get the GRFP. But after witnessing several graduate students struggle with balancing everything, a part of me is just nervous that I won't be able to successfully take on being a TA, taking classes, and conducting research all at the same time.

[MrRoots]

Of course there is. Forgive me for being dramatic. However, most of the graduate students I know weren't required to TA their first year, and even having to TA in their second and third years has put them under a lot of extra stress. The GRFP is nice in that it frees up time for you to concentrate on your research, instead of having to TA. In fact, most professors I've talked to have said that TAing essentially does nothing for you in terms of getting post-docs or faculty positions. Therefore, the less TAing you do, the more time you can spend on research, going to conferences, and publishing: the things that will help you secure future jobs. I know that "need" was a strong word, since I don't need any outside funding to stay in my program, but I may "need" funding in order to be competitive for the jobs I want.

 

And of course I'll TA if I don't get the GRFP. But after witnessing several graduate students struggle with balancing everything, a part of me is just nervous that I won't be able to successfully take on being a TA, taking classes, and conducting research all at the same time.

Interesting...

 

I know all of these things are relative on field, school, PI etc. etc. But a condition of getting departmental funding similar to the GRF at UC Davis's Plant Science department is that you TA for at least one quarter as a Masters student and at least two quarters as a PhD student. Some might think this offsets the cost to the department, and it does, but the department chair is a big proponent of students TA'ing per the fact that all faculty in our department have dual research and teaching appointments. Apparently the lack of teaching experience has been a deal breaker in job candidates being offered positions here as well. Most of the professors I know also are proponents of their students TA'ing because they suggest that it actually makes graduate students better researchers because they have to answer critical questions from undergraduates which can really help develop our research questions. I would also suggest that TA'ing after the first few years would be much more manageable as most of the required for a graduate students program would likely be out of the way only leaving research and TA'ing a bit.  Lastly, if need to take qualifying exams, there probably isn't a better way to prepare oneself for those than if you have to teach the material.

 

You are correct though, it isn't easy and there are plenty of reasons to argue that we shouldn't have to do it all. I hope I get the GRF but even if I do, I would likely still TA or at least help organize a few seminars. Good luck!

[Pitangus]

And about changing your proposed institution (i.e. I'm not going where I indicated, but will still be working on similar enough topic) the GRFP site says you can change it but how much of a big deal is that? Simple e-mail/form to let them know your actual school or will they re-evaluate me to some degree? It's US, accredited and all that. Thanks. 

 

If you receive the fellowship then you will have the option to change the institution when you accept the award on Fastlane. Your institution will then be updated on your Fastlane profile, no big deal.

The proposed institution on the awards list will not change though. 

Edited March 19, 2014 by Pitangus

[knightrunner]

And about changing your proposed institution (i.e. I'm not going where I indicated, but will still be working on similar enough topic) the GRFP site says you can change it but how much of a big deal is that? Simple e-mail/form to let them know your actual school or will they re-evaluate me to some degree? It's US, accredited and all that. Thanks. 

 

Changing proposed institution isn't a big deal (unless you change programs from biology to a professional biotechnology degree), but changing from biology to psychology might be a huge issue.  I idea of this fellowship is for you to get use to grant or proposition writing.  You do not even have to stick with your proposed topic.

Edited March 19, 2014 by knightrunner

[marty3]

In fact, most professors I've talked to have said that TAing essentially does nothing for you in terms of getting post-docs or faculty positions.

 

Whoa, I've heard completely different things, at least in the general sense. The responsibility of TAs varies widely from course to course, and it probably won't help get you a faculty position if you're just grading papers or even holding office hours. Teaching recitations/sections (whatever you call them) regularly is a completely different story, especially if you win awards for it. Filling in for a prof by teaching the whole class when he/she is gone is fantastic experience. After all, faculty often (not always) have teaching responsibilities. Anyone who has experience teaching and proven excellence at it will be a step above the rest. Of course, it won't matter a whole hell of a lot if your research is crap....

[knightrunner]

I would say TAing is worth it if you get to teach in front of the class and don't have to worry about grading to many papers.  Now if you are TAing 20 hours a week grading papers and doing all the professors useless chores then you are getting ripped off.

 

I'm not sure to classify my case for the NSF-GRFP a need or want, but this can potentially give me leverage into attending a graduate school this year. 

[blackpeppered]

Of course there is. Forgive me for being dramatic. However, most of the graduate students I know weren't required to TA their first year, and even having to TA in their second and third years has put them under a lot of extra stress. The GRFP is nice in that it frees up time for you to concentrate on your research, instead of having to TA. In fact, most professors I've talked to have said that TAing essentially does nothing for you in terms of getting post-docs or faculty positions. Therefore, the less TAing you do, the more time you can spend on research, going to conferences, and publishing: the things that will help you secure future jobs. I know that "need" was a strong word, since I don't need any outside funding to stay in my program, but I may "need" funding in order to be competitive for the jobs I want.

 

And of course I'll TA if I don't get the GRFP. But after witnessing several graduate students struggle with balancing everything, a part of me is just nervous that I won't be able to successfully take on being a TA, taking classes, and conducting research all at the same time.

Interesting. Aside from one professor in my department at undergrad (who had a multi-million dollar research grant, and used portions of it to pay off his TA's teaching assignments for all but the two semesters necessary for the program) I don't know anyone who hasn't been required to TA their first year (and every semester afterwards). The big difference seems to be whether they throw you into a semester or two of TA grading/proctoring before they have you TA as a course or lab instructor. Perhaps it's different for some of the more prestigious schools - I'm using experiences from several R1 universities, but they're all state schools, as well.

[Electric_displacement]

Has anyone seen the advisory that Fastlane will be down for "scheduled maintenance" Saturday night in to Sunday, March 23?

 

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/

 

Could this be it?  If it is, they are posting the maintenance notice a lot earlier than in past years.  It also seems bizarre that they would announce winners on a Sunday.  My gut feeling is that its just a coincidence, but I want a second opinion!

Edited March 19, 2014 by Electric_displacement

[stmwap]

Has anyone seen the advisory that Fastlane will be down for "scheduled maintenance" Saturday night in to Sunday, March 23?

 

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/

 

Could this be it?  If it is, they are posting the maintenance notice a lot earlier than in past years.  It also seems bizarre that they would announce winners on a Sunday.  My gut feeling is that its just a coincidence, but I want a second opinion!

Yeah, probably just a coincidence.  Someone said this earlier, but scheduled maintenance happens all the time.  And for GRFP it is usually something like 12AM-5AM, not 12AM-8AM.

Edited March 20, 2014 by stmwap

[statisticsfall2014]

Anyone have any inside info on when things are coming out? /Has anyone applied for the Mathematical Sciences portion?

Thanks -L

[MrRoots]

Whoa, I've heard completely different things, at least in the general sense. The responsibility of TAs varies widely from course to course, and it probably won't help get you a faculty position if you're just grading papers or even holding office hours. Teaching recitations/sections (whatever you call them) regularly is a completely different story, especially if you win awards for it. Filling in for a prof by teaching the whole class when he/she is gone is fantastic experience. After all, faculty often (not always) have teaching responsibilities. Anyone who has experience teaching and proven excellence at it will be a step above the rest. Of course, it won't matter a whole hell of a lot if your research is crap....

Correct; the distinction is pretty clear here (UC Davis)...TA's run sections, discussions and/or labs as well as do grading and readers just grade. There are occasions when that isn't the case and it may vary from department to department but the pay for TA's is much better and comes with full instate tuition waiver, health insurance and a pretty good stipend. Readers just get an hourly rate less than the TA's.

 

And yes; if the hiring committee sees that a candidate has only been a reader or the equivalent it doesn't do much for that candidate.

Edited March 20, 2014 by MrRoots

[parkridge]

The quiet before the storm..... 

 

 

Has anyone seen the advisory that Fastlane will be down for "scheduled maintenance" Saturday night in to Sunday, March 23?

 

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/

 

Could this be it?  If it is, they are posting the maintenance notice a lot earlier than in past years.  It also seems bizarre that they would announce winners on a Sunday.  My gut feeling is that its just a coincidence, but I want a second opinion!

[Veet Voojagig]

Interesting. Aside from one professor in my department at undergrad (who had a multi-million dollar research grant, and used portions of it to pay off his TA's teaching assignments for all but the two semesters necessary for the program) I don't know anyone who hasn't been required to TA their first year (and every semester afterwards). The big difference seems to be whether they throw you into a semester or two of TA grading/proctoring before they have you TA as a course or lab instructor. Perhaps it's different for some of the more prestigious schools - I'm using experiences from several R1 universities, but they're all state schools, as well.

 

I'm in cognitive psych too, and my PI specifically mentioned he would not have me TA the first year. He doesn't have millions, but he is funding me through his grants as an RA. The department itself guarantees five years of funding, but there's obviously many different pathways to doling it out.  I think it's pretty common for PI's to fund students as RA's rather than TA's if their funding situation permits it. This is at an R1 state school, btw.